Dear Doctor,

I am taking antibiotics for an infection I have had for a week now but they have left me feeling very weak and often dizzy. What can I do to decrease the heavy negative effect they are having on my body and mind?

Liza

Dear Liza,

Weakness following any sickness, particularly infections is usually due to multiple factors. One loses appetite due to the infection. Moreover if there is infection in the oral cavity, it becomes difficult to eat. Antibiotics tend to leave a bitter taste in mouth, further making one lose taste in food, thus affecting intake.

Dizziness tends to occur as blood pressure and blood sugar may become low, without eating. It can also be due to inadequate intake of fluids. Anemia caused by the sickness can manifest as dizziness. Antibiotics can also cause dizziness as side effect. Caffeine and alcohol tend to cause dehydration and if taken during recovery from a sickness may make one feel dizzy.

As such, the appetite improves by itself during recovery from any sickness. Taking small frequent meals including necessary nutrients, drinking 2-3 litres of fluids per day, avoiding alcohol and caffeine helps to improve weakness. Regarding dizziness, one should avoid sitting up or standing from supine position suddenly. Change of posture should be slow to avoid dizziness. If the problem persists, it is vital to get investigated for any other sickness.

Dr Rachna Pande  is a specialist in internal medicine at Ruhengeri Hospital